Automatic fluid strainer



May 31, 1938. T. E. HAUGHT I 2,119,433

AUTOMATI C FLUID STRAINER Filed Nov. 25, 19 36 3 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTORNEYS Z Filed Nov. 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS WV, m a m 30d a 4 m \1 3 JIHHIII 0 T r NM, Z I J u 4 Fl.

May 31, 1938.

T. E. HAUGHT AUTOMATIC FLUID STRAINER Filed Nov. 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet:5

' lllllllllllllllll T. \wsm INVENTOR ATTOR N EIS Patented May 31, 1938UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The invention relates to a'fluid strainer and more especially to anautomatic fluid strainer involving refinements over the subject matterof an application for United States Letters Patent filed on or'about thesixth day of August,

1935, and serially numbered 35,011.

' The primary object of the present invention is the provision of adevice of this character, wherein fluid underpressure when flowing willbe cleaned by relieving the same from leaves or other foreign'matter;such fluid will be automatically strained and the leaves or otherforeign matter collected therefrom will be discharged when relieved fromthe flow of fluid.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a strainer of thischaracter, wherein the same is entirely automatic in the working thereofand avoids any undue waste of the fluid during the cleaning operation ofthe same, the automatic action taking place in a novel manner andthrough mechanism novel and unique in assembly.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a strainer of thischaracter, wherein the 2 permanent chocking of the flow of fluid will beeliminated and debris or foreign matter relieved therefrom so that suchfluid will be cleaned during flow activity thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a strainerof this character, wherein refinements are arrived at over the subjectmatter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed on orabout the sixth day of August, 1935, bearing Serial Number 35,011, andalso which is comparatively simple in construction, thoroughly reliableand efficient in operation, automatically acting, strong, durable, andinexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the in- :vention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention and 1pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a strainerconstructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof ;taken on'the line 2--2 ofFigure 1 and showing diagrammatically the motor and the switch controlfor the latter in association with said strainer. Figure 3 is a topplanview. Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of .Figure 2'.

Figure 5 is a-sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-6 of Figure 2looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of one of the driven elements of thestrainer.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the valve lifting cam.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the valve closing cam.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the strainer comprises acylindrical body or casing l0 having at opposite openends, which may betermed the top and bottom, annular flanges I I against which are seatedend heads l2 and I3 respectively. The end head [3 is formed with astufiing box or packing gland I4 through which is passed the stem l5 ofa reticulated or perforated strainer cylinder I'B held centered withinthe casing or shell Ill by a lateral annular flange l! which is formedatthe top of this cylinder l6 and is engaged uponan annular shoulder orseat l8 formed interiorly of the casing or shell l0 andin this instanceis intermediate thereof. Integralwith the cylinder I6 is a spiderformation interiorly thereof providing radial walls or parti- 'tion's l9dividingthe said cylinder into a plurality of segmental shaped chambers20, these being concentric to the axis of movement of said cylinder.This cylinder at opposite ends is opened and by reason ofthe location ofsaid cylinder within the casing or shell I!) the lower ends of thechambers 20 will at all times be closed by the end head l2 next thereto,the opposite upper end of the said cylinder being open establishescommunication of the chambers 20 with the easing or shell l0 above theflange I! of said cylinder. Thus the upper open ends of the chambers 20lead directly to a flow space 2| constituted above the said cylinder l6within the casing or shell Ill and with which communicates a fluid inlet22. The inlet 22 is uppermost to an outlet 23 leading from the casing orshell I0 and is above the seat or shoulder l8 for the flange I! of thecylinder l6.

The cylinder [5 is of considerably less diameter than the casing orshell Ill so that when the flange I1 is engaged with theseatlB therewill be afluid space 24 concentrically of the cylinder. The outlet 23leads from this space 24. The spacev 24 has communication with the'space2| through rthe perforations provided in the cylinder |6 of thosechambers 20 uncovered at their upper ends in a manner presentlydescribed.

As has been previously stated, the lower open end of the cylinder. I6 isconfronted'by the end head l2 serving to close it, while within the flowspace 2| and built into the' casing or ,shell |9 is an upper baflie 26which serves 'to close one of the chambers 20 in the cylinder l6 at theupper open end of the latter whereas the other chambers 20 of thiscylinder remain open to the space 2| when such cylinder isfat rest orrotating. The I baflie 26 is fixed or'stationarily held in the'casingorshell I0. r 15 Arranged abovethe end-head |3 is a support 21 carryingabearing bracket 28 in which, is -journaled a worm screw 29 driven froman electric 7 motor 39 included in a power circuit 3|. The Worm screw 28meshes with a'worm gear 32 fixed to a stud shaft 33 provided with abeveled pinion '34 meshing'witha beveled gear 35 fixed to the stem I5 ofthe cylinder l6.

is active power therefrom is transmitted to the the worm screw 29 andworn i'gear meshing is journaled a shaft 36 having fixed thereto valvewheel 39 diametrically opposite to each other,

and next 'tothe striker pins 40 onsaidwheel, 1

' close under the action ofv these cams.

- coupling 48 is to avoid damage to the valvewithcylinder l6 for therotation of the same within" the casing or shell Hi. When the cylinder[6 is operated by the motor 30-the said cylinder will rotate slowly byreason of the gear ratio between therewith.

'Thesupport 21 includes abearing 35 in which opening and closing cams3'! and 38, respectively. On the stem l5 ofthe cylinder I6 is fixedacombined actuator and holding wheel 39 which at theunder side thereofcarries dependingdiametrically opposite striker pins 40 for'engagingstepping projections 4|uniformly spaced to each:

other and extending from one faceiof a feed wheel 42 fixed to the, shaft36." This Wheel; at the periphery thereof has holding pins 43' which areuniformly spacedfrom eachother and each is adapted to be accommodated insingle order in keeper notches 44 cut into the periphery; of; the

.Opening'through the lower end head 12 of *the casing or shell ll] 'is adischarge 'pipel45 which leads from a single chamber 20 within thecylinder, 6 for communication with these chambers 29 in single'order;The pipe 45 is equipped with a valve working within the valve casing 46and the stem 41 of this:valve through 'a slip coupling 48 is connectedwith a throw rod 49 formed with an upper forked end 50 straddlingtheshaft 36 1 and having the tines of the fork thereof slidably' engaged inguides 5| formed in the extension 52 from the supportZ'l. The'tines ofthe forked end 59 are provided with abutments 53 and 54, respectivelyIThe abutment 53 is commonto the opening cam 31 while the abutment 54 iscommon to theclosing cam 38 so that the Valve will open and The rod49-carries a collar 55 for a coiled compression spring! 56 about saidrod 49 and playing against the coupling 48 "to hold the latter yieldablyfixed' with respect to said rod 49. The purposeof this in its casing46*when being closed through excessive closing'stroke of the rod 49under the action of the cam 38. 7

j At that side of the cylinder |6 where one of the? V chambers 26establishes communication with'the 1 pipe 45 is located anarcuate shapedbaflie 51 which is stationarily supported-by holding webs" 58 joinedtherewith and. with the casing 0 Shell When the motor 30 l9. This baflie51 extends from the lower end head l2 to the flange I! on the cylinder16 and is outside of the latter so as to close the perfora-- V tions 25next'thereto in said cylinder l6. This bafiie 57'is formed with a slot59 carried into a spread clearance 60 in the inner face of. the said 7baiile 51 and inthis manner communication will be had between the fluidspace 24 a'n'd'the cylinder I6. 7

The electric, circuit 3| for the motor ,30 includes a fluid pressureswitch 6| and fluid pressure controlling the same is delivered theretothrough a lead 62 opening into the casing or shell ID at the .sidehaving the outlet 23; This switch under normal pressure within thecasing or shell ||l remains open so that the" motor 30 will be passive.When pressure of fluid is reduced within the shell or casing 19 the saidswitch 6| closes for the starting of the motor'30. V g

The switch 6| has coacting therewith an auto- 'matic latching device 63controlled by a cam 64 on the rod 49. V The purpose of the device 63 isto'maintain the switch6| closedandthus assur- I ance will be'had that'the:mot or 30-will operate for the required period of timef0r the comof the operation of the strainer.

pletiorr I In the operation of the strainer, assumin that V debris orforeignmatter and fluid under normal.

pressure is flowing from the inlet 22 through the.

casing or shell ID to the outlet 23, the switch;6|'

is open and the motor 30 passive. At this'time the valve in the casing46 is closed shutting ofi' '1 discharge through pipe 45 from the casingor shell. Ill. 7 Now fluid flow exists from the inletside of the casingor shell I0 to the outlet sidether'eof. This flow passes 'through'thechambers 29 exceptingthe one covered by the baffles 26; and

51 thence through the perforations 25, the spacev 24 and discharged atthe outlet side of the said casing or shell. 1

Now when leaves 'or other foreign matter col "the chambers 20 in thecylinder I6 are freeof 1 lect within the uncovered chambers 20 in the 7cylinder |6 ,to clog the perforations 25 in this cylinder; there will bea' drop in'the' pressure of fluid in the pipe 62thus the'iswitch 6| willclose the circuit 3| and start the motor 30. Y The start ing of themotor3|] drivesthe cylinder l6 causing a it to turn' thus bringing thenormally covered f chamber 20 which is entirely free of leaves orforeign matter into a position to restore normal;

pressure within the pipe-62. As the cylinder l6.

turns the wheel 39 rotates and on every half revolution. thereof drivesthe wheel 42 turning the shaft '36 so. thatthe cams 31 and 38 willoperate, these successively working for the opening and closing of thevalve in the casing 46;

On the opening of the valve inthe casing 46, the leaves or other foreignmatter can be dis charged, through the pipe 45 from each chamber 29 whencovered. When the switch 6| is closed the motor'will continue to beactive or running. During the rotary cycle of the cylinder IB'therespective chambers 20. therein will 'be cleaned and. this is broughtabout by fluid under pressure being admitted through the'slot 59 andclearance 66 in the bafile 51 when the perforations 25 confront the saidslot 59 and the clearance 60 while the cylinder 6 is moving; The flow offluid through these perforations 25 from without to within thechamberfcovered will cause a dislodging of foreign matter and leavesfrom'the said perforations 25 "and this dislodgedmatter will pass fromthe said coveredchamber into the pipe 45' and flow away therein. In thisinstance there are shown six chambers 20 which receive pressure from theinlet side of the strainer and of. this series fluid under pressure isadmitted to five of these chambers directly to have such fluid pass fromwithin outwardly through the perforations common to the said fivechambers, that is to say, those uncovered.

When normal pressure of fluid exists in the casing or shell II] theswitch 6| remains open and the discharge pipe 45 is closed by the valvewithin the casing 46. When leaves or other foreign matter accumulatewithin those chambers 20 in the cylinder IE not covered, then pressureof the fluid drops within the casing or shell I0 and likewise a drop ofpressure occurs within the pipe 62 whereupon the switch 6| instantlycloses and the motor starts so that this cylinder I6 will turn and thesuccessive chambers 20 within said cylinder becoming cleaned and thedebris or foreign matter therein discharged through the open pipe 45.Subsequent to the return of fluid pressure to normal the motor 30 isstopped and the valve in the casing 46 closes shutting off furtherdischarge through pipe 45.

It is, of course, to be understood that through the wheel 42 in itscoaction with wheel 39 a timing is set up so that at a determined periodsubsequent to the restoring of pressure in the casing or shell ID theswitch 6| will become opened and in this manner the motor 30 stoppedthereby giving to the cylinder IS the required number of revolutions toenable a thorough cleaning of the chambers 20 in this cylinder and thedischarge of the collected matter therein through pipe 45. Further, itis to be understood that through this timing the valve is likewiseoperated for the closing thereof in the pipe 45 and thus avoiding anywaste of the fluid after the cleaning of the chambers 20 in the cylinderIS.

The cleaning cycle requires two and one-half turns of the cylinder l6constituting the strainer while the valve in the casing 45 is opensomewhat less than this turning cycle of said strainer, the valve beingwide open through about one and three-fourths turns of the said cylinderalthough the extent of opening of thev valve can be increased yet itdoes not appear necessary or desirable.

The cylinder I6 is driven directly from the motor 30 while the wheel 42in cooperation with the wheel 39 effects a proper timing for theoperation of the valve in the casing 46 and also for the control of thedevice 63 while the cams 31 and 38 in cooperation raise and lower thesaid valve for the opening and closing thereof.

The particular combination of the electrical and mechanical features ofthe strainer constitute a full automatic control of the cleaning streamand cleaning action to the complete cessation of both, except whencleaning is needed. In the working of the strainer the debris isconveyed into chambers within the cylinder l6 Without liability ofscraping and wedging of the dirt in the conduit from which the same isbeing cleared.

What is claimed is:

1. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatablestrainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut ofitherefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valvenormally closing the drain, means operatively associated with the valveand strainer for opening and closing said valve and active for holdingthe latter open during the rotation of the strainer, an electric motordriving the strainer for opening the shut off portion thereof to thefluid flow means, a pressure operated switch controlling the motor andregulated by pressure in the flow means, and a latch coacting with theswitch to hold the latter closed for the operation of the motor untilfull pressure has been established in the fluid flow means andthereafter until the cycle of operation is complete.

2. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatablestrainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut offtherefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valvenormally closing the drain, means having connections with the strainerand operatively associated with the valve and said strainer for openingand closing said valve and active for holding the latter open during therotation of the strainer, an electric motor driving the strainer foropening the shut oiI portion thereof to the fluid flow means, a pressureoperated switch controlling the motor and regulated by pressure in theflow means, a latch coacting with the switch to hold the latter closedfor the operation of the motor until full pressure has been establishedin the fluid flow means, and valve opening and closing cams included insaid second-named means.

3. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatablestrainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut offtherefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valvenormally closing the drain, means having connections with the strainerand operatively associated with the valve and said strainer for openingand closing said valve and active for holding the latter open during therotation of the strainer, an electric motor driving the strainer foropening the shut off portion thereof to the fluid flow means, a pressureoperated switch controlling the motor and regulated by pressure in theflow means, a latch coacting with the switch to hold the latter closedfor the operation of the motor until full pressure has been establishedin the fluid flow means, valve opening and closing cams included in saidsecond-named means, and means operating with said second-named means forrelieving excessive closing movement to the valve.

THOMAS E. I-IAUGHT.

